





xm.^-ms 



■■'%^?iiP'%,J' 







gi]l^^<^^'^'^'%>'^<%,'%>"<^^'%>-^'%.<%.<%.<^^^ 



K m^ a^.^ 



.# 



4 # 

:# # 

f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, f 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2010 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/hudsonriverhudso01newy 



mEMT MILL BIST. 



1 1 


l\ 


X 




1 


1 1 


D._ 


^ 


1 1 


1 


-■, "''f^ ' 


1 1 


1 ; i;;:fi 








1 






HUDSON RIVER, 



COMPLETE MAP, 



WOOD CUT VIEWS OF THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTS 
OF INTEREST UPON THE LINE, 





NEW YORK 



PUBLISHED BY WM. C. LOCKE & C 

24 BEEKMAN STREET. 

BOSTON: BRADBURY & GUILD, 

120 WASHINGTON STREET. 



^V)«- 



'7 



^^ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1S51, by 
BRADBURY & GUILD, 

1 t&e Clerfs Office of the District Coiurt for the District of Massachusetts. 



STEKEOITPED BY 

HOBART & ROBBINSi 

HEW ENGLAND TIPB iND STEREOTYPE FOCNDERY, 
BOSTON. 



CONTENTS. 



Fage 

Hudson River — General Description, 7 

Hudson River Railroad — General Description, 10 

New York, 17 

Jersey City, ,....., .21 

Hoboken, , 21 

Weehawken, 21 

ManhattanvUle, , 21 

Carmansville, 21 

Tubby Hook, , 22 

Spuyten Duyvel, 22 

Yonkers, 22 

Hastings', 23 

Dobbs' Ferry, 23 

Piei-mont, 23 

Tarrytown, .,.,... 23 

Sing Sing, . 24 

Verdritege's Hook, 25 

Croton, , 26 

Haverstraw, 29 

Peekskill, 30 

Garrison's, , .34 

West Point, 34 

Cold Spring, 38 

FishkiU, 41 

Newburg, , 42 

Low Point, 43 

New Hamburg, , 43 

Hampton, 43 

Milton FeiTy 43 

Poughkeepsie, 44 

NewPaltz, . . . . 44 

Hyde Park, , 44 



G CONTENTS. 

Page 

Pelham, 44 

Staatsburg, 44 

Rhinebeck, 44 

Eondout, 45 

Barrytown, 45 

Grermantown, 45 

OakHUl, 45 

CatskiU, ; 45 

Hudson, 47 

Athens, 48 

Stockport, 48 

Stuyresant, 48 

Coxsackie, 48 

New Baltimore, 48 

Sctodack, 48 

Castleton, 48 

Greenbush, 48 

Albany, .49 

Troy, 49 

West Troy, 50 



LIST OP ILLUSTRATIONS. 

View at Fort Wasliington Point, 7 

View at Peekskill, li 

State Prison at Sing Sing, 24 

View of Croton Dam, 26 

View of High. Bridge, 28 

Jet at Harlem Eiver, . 29 

View at Garrison's, So 

ITndercliff, 39 

Tunnel at New Hamburg, 43 

Catskill Mountains, from Chatham, 46 

View of Greenbush station, from Albany 49 



GESERAL DESCRIPTION. 



•— <^2t>->- •'^Sm 



^^-- 






UDSOX FlIVEPi, in many points of vie-w, may 
be considered one of the most important streams 
in the world. It cannot vie with the 3Iississippi, 
or the Ohio, and other rivers, either in size or 
extent ; but, in all other respects, it is altogether 
iiheir superior. For steamboat and sloop navigation, stretching as it does 
for one hundred and sixty miles inland, thi'ough a rugged chain of Highlands, 
and caiTj-ing tide water the entire distance, it is certainly unsui'pa^ed. 

The Hudson rises in a marshy ti-act in Essex county, east of Long Lake. 
Its head waters axe nearly four thousand feet above the level of the sea. 
After receiving the waters of the Scroon on the north, and the Sacondaga, 
which fiows from Hamilton county, on the west, it turns eastward until it 
reaches the meridian of Lake Champlain, where it suddenly sweeps round to 
the southward, and continues in a direct course to New York. One mile 
above Troy it receives the Mohawk River on the west, the latter being the 
largest stream of the two at their junction. 

The entire length of the Hudson is three hundred and twenty-five miles. 
The picturesque beauty of its banks, — forming gentle grassy slopes, cr covered 
Nvith forests to the water's edge, or crowned by neat and thriving towns, 
now overshadowing the water with tall cliffi, and now rising in mural preci- 
pices, — and the legendary and historical interests associated with numerous 
spots, combine to render the Hudson the classic stream of the United States. 
Ships can ascend the river as far as Hudson, one hundred and fifteen 
1# 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD, 




miles, and steamboats and sloops to Albany and Troy. During the summer 
months, the water is covered with vessels of all sorts and sizes, ascending or de- 
scending the stream, from the canal boat, — of 
which great numbers, from the line of the Erie 
canal, and entering the river at Albany, are 
daily towed to and from New York, — to the 
magnificent steamers, 
for which this river for 
. years has been famous. 
The width of the river, 
for twenty-five miles 
above New York, is 
about one mile. Its 
west bank, for nearly this whole distance, is bounded by abrupt precipices 
of trap rock, termed the Palisades. Beyond these there is an expansion 
of the river to the width of three miles, termed Tappan and Haverstraw 
bays, with mountains upon the western shore seven hundred feet in height. 
Passing these at Verplanck's Point, forty miles above New York, the 
Highlands commence. Here the river is contracted into narrow limits, and 
the water becomes of greater depth. This mountainous region, about 
sixteen miles in length, may be considered the most remarkable feature in 
the Hudson River scenery. The course of the stream is exceedingly tor- 
tuous, and the hUls upon both sides rocky and abrupt. Above these High- 
lands the country subsides into but a fertile hilly region, which continues for 
one hundred miles. 

Hudson River is named after Henry Hudson, by whom it was discovered 
in 1609. He entered the southern waters of New York on the 3d of Sep- 
tember. Tradition says that he landed upon Long Island and traded with 
the natives. He spent a week south of the Narrows before he entered the 
bay. On the 14th, he proceeded up the river. As he went along, he all 
the way found the natives on the west shore more affable and friendly than 
those on the east, and discovered that those on one side were at war with 
those on the other. In his journal he gives the following account of his 
reception upon landing at Hudson, the place which now bears his name : — 

"I went on shore in one of the canoes with an old Indian, who was a 
chief of forty men and seventeen women, and whom I found in a house made 
of the bark of trees, which was exceedingly smooth and well finished within 
and all round about. I found there a great quantity of Indian corn and 
beans ; indeed, there lay to dry, near the house, of these articles, as much as 
would load three ships, besides what was growing in the field. When we 
came to the house, two mats were spread to sit on ; and immediately eatables 
were brought to us on red wooden bowls, well made ; and two men were sent 
off with their bows and arrows to kill wild fowl, who soon returned with two 



HUDSON RIVER AXD RAILROAD. 



pigeons. They also killed immediately a fat d.og, and in a very little time 
skinned it -with shells, which they got out of the water. The^ ezpected I 
would have remained with them through the night ; but this I did not care to 
do, and therefore went on board the ship again. It is the fine,st land for 
tilling my feet ever trod upon, and bears all sorts of trees fit for building 
vessels. The natives here were extremely kind and good-tempered; for 
when they saw that I was making ready to return to the ship, and would not 
stay with them, judging it proceeded from my fear of their bows and arrows, 
they took and broke them to pieces, and then threw them into the fire. I 
found grapes growing here abo, and plums, pumpkins, and other fruit." 

It must not be forgotten that the Hudson Paver was the theatre of the first 
successful attempt to apply steam power to the propelling of vessels, by Fulton, 
in 1808, le.s3 than half a century ago! I^fii the sceptic stand upon the 
banks of the river now, and see the superb and swift palaces of motion shoot 
past, one after the other, like gay and chasing meteors ; and then r^ poor 
Fulton's account of his first experiment, and never throw discouragement on 
the kindling fire of genius. 

" When I was building my first steamboat," said he to Judge Story, "the 
project was viewed by the public at New York either with indifference or 
contempt, as a visionary scheme. 3Iy friends, indeed, were civE, but they 
were shy. They listened with patience to my explanations, but with a settled 
cast of incredulity on their countenances. As I had occasion to pass daUy to 
and from the building yard while the boat was in progress, I often loitered, 
unknown, near the idle groups of strangers gathered in little circles, and 
heard various inquiries as to the object of this new vehicle. The language 
was uniformly that of scorn, sneer, or ridicule. The loud laugh rr^e at my 
expense ; the dry jest, the wise calculation of losses and ezpjenditure ; the 
duU but endless repetition of ' Tlce Fv.Uon Folly. ^ Never did a single en- 
couraging remark, a bright hope, or a warm wish, croi5S my path. 

" At length the boat was finished, and the day arrived when the trial was 
to be made. To me it was a most trying and iateresting occasion. I invited 
many friends to go on Ijoard and witness the first successful trip. 3I^ny of 
them did me the honor to attend, as a matter of personal respect ; but it was* 
manifest they did it with reluctance, feigning to be jjartners of my mortifica- 
tion, and not of my triumph. I was well aware that, in my case, there were 
many reasons to doubt my success. The machinery was new, and ill made ; 
and many parts of it were constructed by mechanics unacq^uainted with such 
work ; and unexpected dimculties might reasonably be presumed to present 
themselves from other causes. The moment arrived in which tlK woi*d was 
to be given for the vessel to move. My friends stood in groups on the deck. 
I read in their looks nothing but disaster, and almost repented f^ my efforts. 
The signal was given, and the boat moved on a short distance, and then 
stopped and became immovable. To the sHenee of the preceding moment. 



10 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

now succeeded murmurs of discontent and agitation, and whispers, and 
skrugs. I elevated myself on a platform, and stated that I knew not what 
was the matter ; but if they would be quiet, and indulge me for half an hour, 
I would either go on, or abandon the voyage. I went below, and at once 
discovered that a slight mal-adjustment was the cause of the stopping. It 
was obviated, and the boat went on ; we left New York ; we passed through 
the Highlands ; we reached Albany. Yet, even then, imagination superseded 
the force of fact. It was doubted if it could he done again, or if it could be 
made,, in any case, of any great value." 

What an affecting picture of the struggles of a great mind, and what a 
vivid lesson of encouragement to genius, are contained in this simple narrative ! 
If Fulton and his then doubting friends could witness now the triumphs of 
steam on the Hudson and the Mississippi, the Ganges, the Indus, the Thames, 
the Tigris, the Nile, and across the broad bosoms of the three great oceans, 
how different would be the sensations of both from those by which they were 
animated on the first experimental voyage ! 



HUDSON RIVER RAILROAD. 

The project of building a railroad along the banks of Hudson River, from 
New York to Albany, was, for a long time, deemed visionary, and unworthy 
of consideration. It was argued and believed that, even if a road could be 
built through the Highlands, at anything like a reasonable expense, it could 
never compete with the river steamboats, noted as they were for elegance, 
safety, and speed. But the fallacy of this belief has been plainly shown. 

Two important considerations, above all others, have tended to convince 
the public that a railroad along the Hudson was necessary, and ought to be 
built. One, and by far the greatest, is found in the fact that during the 
winter months, averaging from 90 to 100 days of each year, the river is 
closed by the ice ; and it proved a serious inconvenience, to say the least, for 
a channel, through which from one and a half to two millions of passengers 
were conveyed in the summer months, to be closed for the remainder of the 
year. The other was the simple saving of time upon the way. The com- 
parative merits of the two modes of conveyance it does not become us to dis- 
cuss. Both will have their supporters and favorites, and both will unques- 
tionably be forever open to the public dui'ing two thirds of each year. In 
the winter, when the river is closed^ the railroad must do all the business, 
both in passengers and freights, and no person can doubt, that, although it is 
now immense, the superior facilities of transit opened by the railroad will 
tend to increase it beyond all precedent. 

The entire length of the Hudson River Railroad, from Chamber street to 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 11 



Albany, is one hundred and forty-three miles and a quarter. As a general 
feature, the road is constructed directly along the banks of the river, five feet 
above high tides. A proper degree of directness is maintained, and the sin- 
uosities of the stream avoided, by cutting through the projecting points of 
land, and, when necessary, throwing the line a short distance into shal- 
low water ; protecting the embankment from the action of the waves by a 
secure wall. Nearly one half of the whole length of the road is thus protected. 
At Verplanck's Point, forty miles from New York, the track is nearly two 
miles from the river, but in no other place does it vary as much as one mile 
from the water's edge. 

The grades of the road, considering the obstacles surmounted, are aston- 
ishingly regular. Of the whole distance, one hundred and fourteen miles are 
upon a dead level, five miles from one to five feet per mile, thhteen miles of 
ten feet per mile, and five miles of thirteen feet per mile inclination, which is 
the heaviest grade upon the road. The total rise and fall is two hundred and 
thu'teen feet only. The shortest curve is at Peekskill station. This is of 
one thousand feet radius. Besides this, there are no curves less than two 
thousand feet radius, while more than one half of the whole number are from 
four to ten thousand feet radius. The whole number of curves is two hun- 
dred and seventy-nine, there being fifty-eight and a half miles of curved line. 

The ROCK EXCAVATION upon the road, as the fact of its following the banks 
of the river so closely would lead any one to suppose, has been immense. The 
total amount of rock-cuttings will not vary much from two millions of cubic 
yards. On the " Highland" division alone, (Peekskill to Fishkill, a distance 
of sixteen miles,) over four hundred and twenty-five thousand cubic yards 
of rock were excavated. 

There are eight tunnels upon the line, between New York and Pough- 
keepsie, as follows : — 

1. At Oscawana, or Peg's Island, . . . 225 feet in length. 

2. Abbott's Point, (Bridge Tunnel,) . . 100 " " 

3. FlatPtock, 70 " " 

4. St. Anthony's Nose, 400 " " 

5. Garrison's, at Phillips' Hill, 900 " " 

6. Breakneck Hill, 400 " " 

7. New Hamburg, 1400 " " 

8. Milton Ferry, 100 " " 

Total 3595 

All the above tunnels are through solid rock, and are twenty-four fee', 
wide, and eighteen feet high. The rock is so hard that it forms the arch of 
the tuimels in all cases except for a part of the one at Breakneck Hill. 
Here the appearance of the rock rendered it probable, in the mind of the 



12 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

engineer, that it might crumble on being esposed to the atmosphere, and a 
brick lining was constructed for the pm-pose of preventing the loose stone 
from falling upon the track. Besides the above tunnels, of natural rock, 
there are two constructed of brick at the Sing Sing prison yard. 

The whole cost of the Hudson River Eailroad, when entu-ely janished, will 
not vary much from nine millions of dollars. Of this sum the original 
stock subscription was for 30,165 shares, amounting to 3,016,500 dollars. 
The balance is obtained from other sources. The road was opened on the 
29th of September, 1849, for the transportation of passengers between New 
York and Peekskill, a distance of forty miles. On the 6th day of December 
following, an additional section of twenty-three miles was opened, esteiiding to 
New Hamburg ; and on the 31st of the same month, the remaining distance 
of nine miles to Poughkeepsie was brought into use. 

One characteristic of this road deserves especial mention. We refer to the 
system of signal flags, introduced to secure safety from accidents in running 
the trains. Flag men are stationed upon every mile of the road, generally at 
the curves, or upon a slight acclivity, where a view of the track for some 
distance can be had. Upon the approach of a train, if all is clear ahead, the 
flagman displays a xvliite signal. If there be any obstruction in sight, or a 
diminished speed be required for any cause, a red flag is displayed. During 
the intervals between the trains, these men daily examine the road, to see 
that all is secure. If a chair be broken, a rail loose, or a spike drawn, the 
evil is at once corrected, and thus the road is kept in perfect repair. This is 
a very important improvement. It may be true that more caution is neces- 
sary upon this road, in consequence of the great number of curves ; yet there 
would be a less number of accidents, were this system adopted upon other 
roads, where a high degree of speed is desirable. 

Commencing at the principal city station, at the junction of Chamber and 
Hudson streets, the track is laid through Hudson, Canal, and West streets, to 
Tenth avenue, which it follows to the upper city station, at Thirty-fourth 
street. Over this part of the route the rails are laid even with the streets, 
and the cars are drawn by what is called a " dumb engine." This is consid- 
ered a great improvement over the use of horses, for drawing the cars through 
the streets, where, by the corporation regu.lations, locomotives are not al- 
lowed to run. This engine appears very much like an ordinary freight car. 
The machinery is entu'ely out of sight, and it is made to consume its own 
smoke. While passing through the city, it is preceded by a man on hoise- 
back, who gives notice of its approach by blowing a horn. At Thirty-fourth 
street, the line curves mto Eleventh avenue, the dumb engine is detached, 
and the regular locomotive takes the train. As far as Sixtieth street, the 
track is laid upon the street grades, which are somewhat undulating. At 
this point the regular grades of the road begin. 

Passing Manhattanville and Carmansville, the first obstacle of any impor- 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 13. 

tance was the heavy rock-cutting at Fort Washington Point, nine miles ahove 
the city. This excavation is in solid rock, fifty-six feet deep at the highest 
point, and one hundred rods in length. The rock taken from this cut 
amounted to nearly fifty thousand cubic yards. It was used to construct the 
protection wall near this place. From this point, suspended from high poles, 
to the high ground on the opposite side of the river, are the various telegi'aph 
lines which extend south from New York. These were at first sunk in the 
stream, but they received so much damage from the anchors of vessels navi- 
gating the river, that it was found necessary to suspend them, in this manner, 
out of the reach of danger. 

Twelve miles from the city, the line crosses Spuyten Duyvel Creek. Here 
is a draw-bridge to allow vessels which navigate the river to pass into the 
creek, and also several hundred feet of pile bridge to allow the free passage 
of water in and out of the bay. Spuyten Duyvel Creek falls into what is 
called Harlem River, and separates Manhattan, or New York Island, from 
the main land. 

From this point the line proceeds along close to the river, passing Yonkers, 
Hastings', Dobbs' Ferry, Tarrytown, to Sing Sing. This part of the line is level. 
At Sing Sing the road passes through the yard of the State Prison, directly in 
rear of the main building. The track is several feet below the yard. Two 
arches of brick, of twenty-four feet span and six hundred feet in length, are 
here constructed, one upon each side of the yard, for the purpose of render- 
ing it secure. 

A short distance above Sing Sing, the road crosses the bay formed by the 
junction of the Croton and Hudson rivers. The distance across is about one 
mile. A draw-bridge is here constructed ; the remaining part of the distance 
being partly well protected embankments, and partly pile bridge. 

The line now crosses Teller's Point, a narrow neck of land extending more 
than half way across the river, and dividing Tappan and Haverstraw Bays, 
so called ; the former being below, and the latter above, this point. Here 
there is an extensive excavation through sand and gravel for nearly half a 
mile. More than four hundred thousand cubic yards of earth were removed 
from this cutting. Passing this, the track follows again close upon the banks 
of the river to Oscawana Island, where the first tunnel through solid rock is 
passed. Half a mile above this, the road takes a curve inland, to avoid 
Yerplanck's Point. Here there is some heavy rock cutting, and, to accom- 
modate the road to a brick-yard near at hand, another short tunnel was made. 

Between this point and Peekskill station the road makes its greatest 
divergence from the river ; and, at the highest point, passes over a summit 
of 34 feet, by a rising and falling inclination of 13 feet per mile. 

At Peekskill, between the 42d and 43d miles, the line curves to the left 
more than a quarter of a circle. A little north of the village it is carried 
across the bay, at the mouth of Peekskill Creek, a distance of three quarters 



14 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 




HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 15 

of a mile ; part of the distance by a pile bridge eight hundred feet in length, 
with draw for vessels, &c., and the remainder by embankment. At this 
point the Highland division commences. Two miles north of Pcekskill is 
the third tunnel upon the line, which is denominated Flat Rock tunnel; 
and within another mile the line passes through the projecting point of 
A-nthony's Nose, by a fourth tunnel, with heavy and extensive rock cutting 
.'it each exit. 

For a considerable distance along the Highlands, the mountains have an 
elevation of from one thousand to fifteen hundred feet, and shut down close 
to the water's edge. In many places the road is formed by cutting a large 
portion or even the whole of its width into the rock, leaving a perpendicular 
natural wall upon the east side, from ten to thirty, and even forty, feet high. 
In one case, six miles above Peekskill, where the road is formed across the 
outlet of a small brook, much trouble was occasioned by the sinking of the 
iimbankment. Several months after this portion was graded and ready for 
the rails, and a portion of the track was laid, while passing over it with a 
horse and car-load of rails, the embankment for more than a hundred feet 
went down so suddenly that the horse, car, and rails were overwhelmed, and 
two men on the car escaped with difficulty. It is now constructed upon piles, 
and probably secui-e. Similar difficulties, though less important, occurred at 
five different points between Peekskill and "West Point. 

The elevated ground opposite West Point, at Phillips' Hill, is passed by 
a tunnel nine hundred feet long, being the fifth upon the road. Emerging 
from this, to avoid a sudden bend in the river, the line is carried across a sort 
of bay, by a pile bridge nearly a mile in length, and extending more than 
one third of the distance across the stream. On reaching the shore it inter- 
sects a short branch built for the accommodation of the hon works at Cold 
Spring. The road passes dhectly through the village of Cold Spring, where 
two formidable rock cuts were encountered. 

From this point to Breakneck Hill the 
road is nearly straight, notwithstanding the 
numerous bays in the river, and the rocky 
projections from the hills, presenting obsta- 
cles which seem to bid defiance to the skill 
of the engineer. 

At Breakneck, the road passes the sixth 
tunnel, and follows along close to the water, 
crossing Fishkill Creek, in rear of Dennings' 
Point. Here the Highlands end. North of 
the creek is a cutting in blue clay, more diffi- 
cult to excavate, in some respects, than the hard rock cuts. 

North of Wappinger's Creek, which is crossed by a pile bridge at the 
village of New Hamburg, the road encounters a ridge of limestone rock, very 
5 




16 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

hard and compact. Here it was necessary to construct a tunnel of consider- 
able length, the seventh upon the line. To expedite the work, two shafts 
were sunk, one seventy-two feet from the surface of the ground, the other to 
the depth of fifty-three feet. A large portion of the tunnel excavation was 
drawn up through these shafts by steam power ; and the water, which at 
some periods was troublesome, was disposed of in the same way. The eighth 
tunnel was about one mile north of Milton Ferry. 

At Poughkeepsie the line passes through the lower part of the place, all 
the roads leading to the river being carried over the railroad. North of this 
station are two heavy sections. Indeed, of the twenty-six miles extending 
from Poughkeepsie to Tivoli, the north line of Duchess county, seven are 
rock cuttings. A line was originally surveyed from Poughkeepsie to Albany, 
passing through the country away from the river, in some places being as 
much as seven miles distant ; but, for various reasons, it was abandoned. 

Above Tivoli, with one or two inconsiderable exceptions, the road follows 
close to the river the whole remaining distance to Grreenbush. As a general 
thing, the track is five feet above high tide-water, and very few excavations 
or other works are of sufficient importance to deserve especial notice. At 
G-reenbush the track is united to that of the " Troy and Greenbush" road, 
six miles in length, which has been leased to the Hudson River Company 
for a term of years. 

The Hudson River Raih-oad is probably one of the very best constructed 
roads in America. The road bed, generally, is thu-ty feet wide at the top ; 
the protection wall three feet in thickness, and carried five feet above ordinary 
high tides ; the rails weigh seventy pounds per yard, and the outer rail, in 
all eases of exposure to the river, is ten feet from the top of the wall, afford- 
ing a wide margin for the washing of the bank, and ample security against 
nmning the cars into the water in cases of accident. The time proposed for 
running the trains between New York and Albany is four to four and a half 
hours. This will be likely to vary somewhat with the season, though it is 
believed that it will never exceed the longest time named. This will be a 
saving of at least four hours to each passenger, over what would have been 
occupied on board a steamboat, — an important consideration, certainly. 
By the terms of the charter, the fare through is not to exceed three dollars 
at any season. This will unquestionably be the fixed price during the winter, 
and must be considered very reasonable. Whether the competition of the 
boats, during open river navigation, will be such as to induce the company 
to reduce the fare in the summer, time will determine. Considering the 
great obstacles surmounted in constructing the road, and the saving of time 
passing over it, three dollars, at all seasons, cannot be called an um-easonable 
fare, while, for the winter months, none will deny that it is extremely low. 



HUDSON RIYEE AXD RAILEOAD. 17 



CITIES, TOWNS, AND VILLAGES UPON 
HUDSON RIYER. 

New Yokk is the largest, most wealthy, most flourishing of American 
cities ; the oreat commercial emporinm of the United States, and one of the 
greatest in the world. The compact portion of the city is built upon the 
southern end of Manhattan Island, and now extends to Thirteenth street, 
which is the first street, as you proceed northwardly, that runs in a straight- 
line quite across the island. The distance from the Battery to this point is 
nearly three miles. Above this, for at least two miles further, the space is 
rapidly being filled up by elegant dwelling-houses. 

No city in the world possesses greater advantages for foreign commerce 
and inland trade. In addition to the main sea approach through the Narrows 
to the harbor, the channel through East Eiver to Long Island Sound, and the 
Hudson River, two long lines of canals have increased its natural advantages, 
and connected it with the remote west ; and have rendered it the great mart 
of a vast region, now occupied by industrious millions; while its railroad 
facilities of communication with every quarter have made it the great mer- 
cantile centre of the nation. Its progress in population, trade, and wealth, 
has probably never been equalled. In 1800, the population was but 60,000 ; 
while, by the late census, it was found to be about half a million. 

Manhattan Island is fourteen miles in length, and averages, perhaps, one 
and a half miles in breadth. Its greatest breadth is at Eighty-sixth street, 
and is two miles and a quarter. Hudson River bounds it upon the west, 
East River on the east, while on the north it is separated from the main land 
by Harlem River and Spuyten Duyvel Creek. In its natural state the sur- 
face was somewhat hilly and marshy, but these inequalities have been 
reduced to an almost complete level in that portion occupied by the city, the 
ground having merely a gentle slope on each side towards the water. The 
highest point upon the island is near Fort TTashington, being about 238 feet 
above the river. 

The harbor, or bay of New York, as it is called, is one of the finest in the 
world ; safe, commodious, and rarely obstructed by the ice. It is twenty-five 
miles in circumference, easy of access, completely sheltered from storms,. and 
of sufficient size and depth of water to contain the united navies of the world. 
The principal entrance between Staten and Long Islands is about half a mile 
wide, and well defended by strong fortifications. There are also batteries on 
several other islands, farther up the bay. The variegated scenery upon its 
shores, together with the neatly built cottages, the country seats of opulent 
citizens, and the fine view of the city iu approaching from the " Narrows," 
impart to this harbor a beauty probably unsurpassed by that of any other in 
the world. 



18 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

Many of the streets at the southern extremity of the city are narrow and 
crooked. The greater part of those built latterly are laid out with more care. 
Broadway, the principal street, is eighty feet wide, entirely straight, and extends 
from the Battery to Union Square, a distance of nearly three miles. It is the 
great promenade of the city, being much resorted to by the gay and fashionable ; 
and few streets in the world exceed it in the splendor and bustle it exhibits. 
Here is a continued stream of carriages, wagons, drays, omnibuses, and all 
sorts of vehicles designed for business or pleasure ; on the side-walks, crowds 
of pedestrians saunter along or hurry by, while the sound of various lan- 
guages meets the ear. No person possessing a spark of curiosity should fail 
to look upon Broadway from the spire of Trinity church. 

Public Squabes, &c. — The Battery is situated at the extreme south end 
of the city. It contains eleven acres. It is neatly laid out with gravelled 
walks, and planted with trees. From this place is a fine view of the harbor, 
the islands, and of the shores of New Jersey and Staten Island. — The Parh 
is a triangular area of about ten acres, enclosed by Broadway, Chatham, and 
Chamber streets, and surrounded by an iron fence. It contains the City 
Hall and other buildings. Besides a large number of fine trees, it is embel- 
lished by a fountain supplied by the Croton aqueduct. — The Bowling Green, 
situated near the Battery, is of an oval form, and also contains a neat foun- 
tain supplied as above. — St. John's Park, in Hudson Square, is beautifully 
laid out in walks, with shade trees, and kept in excellent order. — Wash- 
ington Square, or Parade Ground, in the north part of the city, contains 
about nine and a half acres, surrounded by a wooden fence. A portion of 
this square was formerly the Potter's Field. — Union Square is situated at 
the termination of Broadway. It is of an oval form, enclosed by an iron 
fence, and its centre ornamented by a fountain. It is the neatest square in 
New York. There are other squares further up the city, which are extensive, 
but not yet laid out. 

Public Buildings, &c. — The city of New York can boast of many 
splendid public buildings. It has about two hundred and fifty churches, 
many of which are magnificent and costly structures. Trinity Church, 
standing in Broadway, at the head of Wall street, may be considered the most 
splendid edifice of the class in the city. It is built throughout of sandstone, 
without galleries, and cost nearly half a million of dollars. The height of its 
spire is 283 feet. Visitors have access to the tower at all times, except when 
the building is occupied for religious purposes. A small fee is expected by 
the person in attendance. This tower affords the most splendid panoramic 
view to be seen on this continent. Ascending the stairway, you reach a 
landing on a level with the ceiling of the church, from which there is a view 
of the elegant interior. You next reach the belfry, where the chime bells 
are hung, which so frequently ring out their solemn peal. Upon reaching 
the highest landing, a most superb view meets your gaze. The city, busy 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 19 

with life and animation, lies at your feet, spread out like a map ; ■while, far 
and wide, in every direction, the country, rivers, villages, and islands, are 
scattered before you, arrayed in all the attractions with which nature and art 
have invested them. 

The City Hall, one of the finest buildings in New York, has a.commanding 
situation in the centre of the Park, and shows to great advantage. It is built 
of white marble, with the exception of the rear wall, which is of brown free- 
stone. The corner-stone was laid in 1803, and it was ten years in building. 
In the structure are twenty-eight offices, and other public rooms, the principal 
of which is the Governor's room, a splendid apartment appropriated to the 
use of that functionary on his visiting the city, and occasionally to that of 
other distinguished individuals. The walls of this room are embellished with 
a fine collection of portraits of men celebrated in the naval ^ military, or civil 
history of the country. In the Common Council room is the identical chair 
occupied by Washington when President of the first American Congress, 
which assembled here. 

The Exchange, on Wall street, is a noble building, constructed of Quincy 
granite, well worth a visit from the stranger. It is built upon the spot occu- 
pied by the old Exchange, which was consumed by the great fire in December, 
1835. No wood, except for the window-frames and doors, is used in this 
structure. 

The Custom House is also upon Wall street. It is built of white marble, 
similar to the model of the Parthenon at Athens. It is, like the Exchange, 
fire-pi'oof. 

Besides many other objects *within the city worthy of notice, visitors will 
find much to intei-est them in tjie immediate vicinity. New York is con- 
nected with the neighboring cities and villages by a great number of ferries, on 
some of which boats run the entire night. Of these, no less than five connect 
New York with Brooklyn. 

GiiEENWOOD Cemetery is in the south part of Brooklyn, at Growanus, 
three miles from the Fulton ferry. Stages run from nearly every boat during 
the day to this charming spot, carrying passengers at a trifling charge. 

This cemetery was incorporated in 1838, and contains two hundred and 
forty-two acres of ground, about one half of which is covered with wood of a 
natural growth. It originally contained but one hundred and seventy-two 
acres ; but recently seventy more have been purchased and brought within the 
enclosure. Free entrance is allowed to persons on foot during week days, but 
on the Sabbath none but proprietors and their families are admitted. The 
gi'ounds have a varied surface of hills and valleys. The elevations afford beau- 
tiful and extensive views of New York, Brooklyn, the harbor, Staten Island, 
and the distant New Jersey highlands. 

Greenwood is traversed by winding avenues and paths, and visitors, by 
keeping the main avenue, called The Tour, as indicated by the guide-boards, 
2^ 



20 HUDSON EIVEK AND RAILROAD. 

will obtain the best view of the grounds and the most interesting monuments. 
Unless this caution is observed, they may not easily find the place of exit. 
This delightful spot now attracts much attention, and has become a place of 
great resort. 

The United States Navy Yard, at Brooklyn, will attract tbe notice of 
visitors to that city. It is situated upon the south side of Wallabout Bay, in 
the north-east part of the city. It occupies about forty acres of ground, 
enclosed by a high wall. There are here two large ship-houses for vessels of 
the largest class, with A¥orkshops, and every requisite necessary for an extensive 
naval depot. A dry dock constructed here cost about one million of dollars. 

At the Wallabout were stationed the prison-ships of the English during the 
Bevolutionary war, in which so many American prisoners perished from bad 
air, close confinement, and ill-treatment. 

Bockaway Beach, a celebrated and fashionable watering place, on the 
Atlantic sea-coast, is about twenty miles south-east of New York. The Ma- 
rine Pavilion, a splendid hotel erected here upon the beach, a short distance 
from the ocean, is furnished in a style befitting its object as a place of summer 
resort. The best route to Bockaway is by railroad to Jamaica, thence by 
stage. 

Fort Hamilton, one of the fortifications for protecting the entrance to the 
bay of New York, is situated at the " Narrows," seven miles from the city. 
There is an extensive hotel here for the accommodation of visitors. The 
Coney Island steamboat stops to land and receive passengers here. 

Coney Island is situated at the extreme south-west point of Long Island, 
four miles below Fort Hamilton. A narrow inlet separates it from the town 
of Gravesend, to which it belongs. It has a fine beach, fronting the ocean, and 
is much visited during the hot summer months for sea-bathing. A steamboat 
plies regularly between the city and Coney Island during the summer. 

Two railroads only extend directly into New York, — the Hudson Biver, and 
the Harlem, — both of which have their passenger stations in Chamber street. 
The Harlem road extends across Manhattan island, crossing the river at Harlem, 
and thence follows the Bronx Biver to Williams' Bridge, and in that direction 
to White Plains, Croton Falls, and Dover. When completed, it will unite 
with the Western (Massachusetts) road at Chatham Corners. At Williams' 
Bridge the New Haven road begins, extending through New Haven, Hartford, 
Springfield, and Boston, eastwardly. 

Yorkville, upon the Harlem road, five miles from City Hall, is a small 
village, one of the suburbs of New York. The receiving reservoir is about 
one quarter of a mile from this place. A tunnel through Prospect HUl, a 
distance of five hundred feet, was necessary to enable the cars to run to 
Harlem. 

Haklem, eight miles from City Hall, is quite a manufacturing place. It 
was founded by the Dutch in 1658, with a view to the amusement and recre- 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 21 

ation of the citizens. What was then a rural and retired spot, will soon be 
but a part of the city. 

Jersey City, west side of Hudson River, and opposite New York, is con- 
nected with it by a ferry over a mile in length, the boats on which are con- 
stantly plying. Population, 68.56. It is important principally as a diverg- 
ing point between the north and the south. The Philadelphia Railroad 
station, the dock for the Cunard steamers, and the Patterson Railroad station, 
are in Jersey City. The passengers over the Erie Railroad take the cars of 
the Patterson road at SufFerns' Junction, thirty-four miles from New York. 
This route is 13 miles shorter than that by way of Piermont and the Hudson 
River. 

The Morris Canal, uniting the Delaware River at Philipsburg with the 
Hudson, terminates here. This canal is one hundred and one miles in length, 
and cost $2,650,000. 

HoBOKEN, directly above Jersey City, on the west side of the river, is a 
popular place of resort by the citizens of New York. The walks, which are 
shaded by large trees, extend for two miles along the banks of the Hudson, 
terminating with the Elysian Fields. From the heights, a short distance 
from the stream, there is a beautiful and picturesque view of New York, the 
bay, and the hills of Long Island, in the distance. Scattered over these 
gentle acclivities are many fine villas and country-seats of opulent citizens, 
which give the place an air of rural comfort not often met with in such close 
proximity to a large city. A little above this, on the same side, is Wee- 
HAWKEN. It is close by the water's edge, and screened in from the land 
view by a precipitous ledge of rocks, which gives it the privacy usually sought 
for in such places. Here it was that the well-known General Hamilton feU 
in a duel with the notorious Colonel Burr. Their quarrel was strictly a 
political one, arising from some expressions used by the former, which resulted 
in a challenge. The parties met on the 11th of July, 1804. At the first 
shot, Hamilton fell, mortally wounded. He was taken to New York, where 
he died the following day, aged forty-seven years. There was formerly a 
monument standing upon the spot where he fell, but it is now removed. 

Manhattanville, 7| miles from New York, is the first station upon the 
Hudson River Railroad. It is, in fact, but a part of the city. It is a small 
but thriving village, pleasantly situated, surrounded by hills. About half a 
mile distant, upon the high ground, occupying a commanding situation, stands 
the Lunatic Asylum. Attached to it are forty acres of land, neatly arranged 
into gardens and pleasure-grounds. The view of Hudson River and the 
surrounding country from this place, is very fine. 

Carmansville, or 152d street, nine miles, is the next station. Like the 
lasVmentioned place, it is merely one of the suburbs of New York. The 
High Bridge, so called, carrying the Croton Aqueduct across Harlem River, 
is only one mile from this station ; and, it being an easy and retired walk^ 



20 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

will obtain the best view of the grounds and the most interesting monuments. 
Unless this caution is observed, they may not easily find the place of exit. 
This delightful spot now attracts much attention, and has become a place of 
great resort. 

The United States Navy Yard, at Brooklyn, will attract the notice of 
visitors to that city. It is situated upon the south side of Wallabout Bay, in 
the north-east part of the city. It occupies about forty acres of ground, 
enclosed by a high wall. There are here two large ship-houses for vessels of 
the largest class, with workshops, and every requisite necessary for an extensive 
naval depot. A dry dock constructed here cost about one million of dollars. 

At the Wallabout were stationed the prison-ships of the English during the 
Bevolutionary war, in which so many American prisoners perished from bad 
air, close confinement, and ill-treatment. 

BocKAWAY Beach, a celebrated and fashionable watering place, on the 
Atlantic sea-coast, is about twenty miles south-east of New York. The Ma- 
rine Pavilion, a splendid hotel erected here upon the beach, a short distance 
from the ocean, is furnished in a style befitting its object as a place of summer 
resort. The best route to Bockaway is by railroad to Jamaica, thence by 
stage. 

Fort Hamilton, one of the fortifications for protecting the entrance to the 
bay of New York, is situated at the " Narrows," seven miles from the city. 
There is an extensive hotel here for the accommodation of visitors. The 
Coney Island steamboat stops to land and receive passengers here. 

Coney Island is situated at the extreme south-west point of Long Island, 
four miles below Fort Hamilton. A narrow inlet separates it from the town 
of Gravesend, to which it belongs. It has a fine beach, fronting the ocean, and 
is much visited during the hot summer months for sea-bathing. A steamboat 
plies regularly between the city and Coney Island during the summer. 

Two railroads only extend directly into New York, — the Hudson Biver, and 
the Harlem, — both of which have their passenger stations in Chamber street. 
The Harlem road extends across Manhattan island, crossing the river at Harlem, 
and thence follows the Bronx Biver to Williams' Bridge, and in that direction 
to White Plains, Croton Falls, and Dover. When completed, it will unite 
with the Western (Massachusetts) road at Chatham Corners. At Williams' 
Bridge the New Haven road begins, extending through New Haven, Hartford, 
Springfield, and Boston, eastwardly. 

YoRKviLLE, upon the Harlem road, five miles from City Hall, is a small 
village, one of the suburbs of New York. The receiving reservoir is about 
one quarter of a mile from this place. A tunnel through Prospect HiU, a 
distance of five hundred feet, was necessary to enable the cars to run to 
Harlem. 

Harlem, eight miles from City Hall, is quite a manufacturing place. It 
was founded by the Dutch in 1658, with a view to the amusement and recre- 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 21 

ation of the citizens. What was then a rural and retired spot, will soon be 
but a part of the city. 

Jersey City, west side of Hudson River, and opposite New York, is con- 
nected with it by a ferry over a mile in length, the boats on which are con- 
stantly plying. Population, 6856. It is important principally as a diverg- 
ing point between the north and the south. The Philadelphia Railroad 
station, the dock for the Cunard steamers, and the Patterson Railroad station, 
are in Jersey City. The passengers over the Erie Railroad take the cars of 
the Patterson road at SufFerns' Junction, thirty-four miles from New York. 
This route is 13 miles shorter than that by way of Piermont and the Hudson 
River. 

The Morris Canal, uniting the Delaware River at Philipsburg with the 
Hudson, terminates here. This canal is one hundred and one miles in length, 
and cost $2,650,000. 

HoBOKEN, directly above Jersey City, on the west side of the river, is a 
popular place of resort by the citizens of New York. The walks, which are 
shaded by large trees, extend for two miles along the banks of the Hudson, 
terminating with the Elysian Fields. From the heights, a short distance 
from the stream, there is a beautiful and picturesque view of New York, the 
bay, and the hills of Long Island, in the distance. Scattered over these 
gentle acclivities are many fine villas and country-seats of opulent citizens, 
which give the place an air of rural comfort not often met with in such close 
proximity to a large city. A little above this, on the same side, is Wee- 
HAWKEN. It is close by the water's edge, and screened in from the land 
view by a precipitous ledge of rocks, which gives it the privacy usually sought 
for in such places. Here it was that the well-known Greneral Hamilton feU 
in a duel with the notorious Colonel Burr. Their quarrel was strictly a 
political one, arising from some expressions used by the former, which resulted 
in a challenge. The parties met on the 11th of July, 1804. At the first 
shot, Hamilton fell, mortally wounded. He was taken to New York, where 
he died the following day, aged forty-seven years. There was formerly a 
monument standing upon the spot where he fell, but it is now removed. 

Manhattanville, 7| miles from New York, is the first station upon the 
Hudson River Railroad. It is, in fact, but a part of the city. It is a small 
but thriving village, pleasantly situated, surrounded by hills. About half a 
mile distant, upon the high ground, occupying a commanding situation, stands 
the Lunatic Asylum. Attached to it are forty acres of land, neatly arranged 
into gardens and pleasure-grounds. The view of Hudson River and the 
surrounding country from this place, is very fine. 

Carmansville, or 152d street, nine miles, is the next station. Like the 
last-mentioned place, it is merely one of the suburbs of New York. The 
High Bridge, so called, carrying the Croton Aqueduct across Harlem River, 
is only one mile from this station ; and, it being an easy and retired walk^ 



22 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 



affords a cheap and pleasant way to visit that nohle structure. Trinity 
Church Cemetery is located here, upon the side hill, overlooking the river. 

One mile ahove Carmansville, upon the top of a projecting point, stands 
Fort Washington. It occupies a commanding situation. It was held by 
General Washington for some time after New York was occupied hy the 
British, in 1776 ; but on the 16th of November, in that year, it fell into the 
hands of the enemy, after a violent assault, — during which the assailing party 
lost eight hundred men, — with two thousand Americans, under Col. Magaw, 
as prisoners of war. 

Opposite Fort Washington, upon the brow of the Palisades, and three 
hundred feet above the river, is the site of Fort Lee. Soon after Fort Wash- 
ington was captured, this also was given up, the Americans retiring to the 
Highlands. 

At Fort Lee the Palisade rocks begin, presenting, all along on the west 
margin of the river, for many miles, a perpendicular wall of rock, varying from 
two to five hundred feet in height. These are sometimes covered with brush- 
wood, sometimes capped with stunted trees, and sometimes perfectly bare ; 
but always showing the upright cliff, which constitutes the most striking 
feature. At the foot of this curious wall is a j)ile of broken rocks and debris ; 
all or most of which has evidently crumbled away from the face of the 
precipice. Much of this is removed every year, and used for building pur- 
poses. In many places there is hardly room for a footpath on the shore of 
the river ; while here and there the space is considerable ; and, occasionally, 
a fisherman's hut is seen, built upon the very margin of the stream. 

The name Palisades is given to this curious cliff, probably, from the ribbed 
appearance of some portions of it, which seem like rude basaltic columns, or 
huge trunks of old trees, placed close together in an upright form, for a bar- 
ricade or defence. The water, a very few feet from the shore, is deep, being 
what is termed a "bold shore," and vessels run quite close to the cliffs. 
Any one who has visited the celebrated West Eock, at New Haven, Conn., 
will at once associate its general appearance with the Palisades, though the 
character and extent of their formation are entirely different. 

Tubby Hook, eleven miles. This station is situated on a romantic and 
secluded spot, near the northern extremity of New York Island. The 
proximity of this location to the city, and the facilities afforded by railroad 
for passing to and from New York, must, in time, make this a very pleasant 
and desirable country residence, though at present there are very few dwell- 
ings in the neighborhood. 

Spuyten Duyvel, twelve miles. The Creek of the same name, which 
branches from the Hudson at this point, flows into Harlem River, and forms 
Manhattan Island. There is a draw here, but very few vessels ever pass it. 

YoNKERS, in the town of the same name, sixteen miles from New York, is 
situated at the mouth of Sawmill River, which here falls into the Hudson. 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 23 

This village is a favorite summer retreat from the city, and is rapidly 
increasing in population. The pleasantest locations are upon a narrow 
plateau, a short distance from the river. The line of the Croton Aque- 
duct bends towards the Hudson at this place, and for seventeen miles 
follows along within about half a mile of the river. In one or two places it 
is less than one hundred rods distant. Fordham Heights and Tetai-d's Hill, 
noted in the war of the Revolution, are in this town. 

Hastings', twenty miles, situated upon the line between Yonkers and 
Greensburg, is the next station. There are some fine country seats here, and 
a thriving village. Two miles above Yonkers, the Palisade rocks are highest, 
and about opposite Hastings' they recede from the river and disappear. One 
mile and a half beyond this station is 

DoBBs' Ferry, an important point during the Revolution, when a ferry was 
established here. It is a place of considerable resort during the summer. 
Four miles above Dobbs' Ferry, near Tarrytown, is " Sunny side,'" the beau- 
tiful residence of Washington Irving. The villa is built upon the margin 
of the river, with a neat lawn and embellished grounds surrounding it. It 
can be seen from the steamboats in passing up or down the river. 

Piermont, on the west bank of the Hudson, is the starting-point of the 
New York and Erie Railroad, now completed. A pier nearly one mile in 
length extends into navigable water, and a ferry connects it with the Hudson 
River Railroad, at Dearman station. Three miles and a half west ■ is the 
village of Tappan, celebrated as the head-quarters of Washington during 
the Revolution, and as the place where Major Andre was executed, October 
2, 1780. [See PeekskilL] 

Tarrytown, twenty-six miles from New York, is a thriving place, situated 
near the northern boundary of Grreensburg. The railroad here cuts off quite 
a point of land and divides the village, leaving a considerable part of it 
on the side next to the river. The newly built portion is on a slight emi- 
nence east of the railroad, and partly hid from view. 

TaiTytown is famed, in the history of the American war, as the place where 
Andre was arrested by Paulding and his associates. The spot, which is 
"well known, is about half a mile north of the village, on the west side of the 
road, near a small stream which falls into the Hudson^ near at hand. The 
remains of Isaac Van Wart, one of the three captors, are deposited under a 
monument to his memory, at a little hamlet of Grreensburg, three miles east 
of Tarrytown. He died in 1828, aged 69 years. 

About two miles or so up the valley of the small stream above mentioned, 
sometimes called Mill River, is the place known as Sleepy Hollow, the scene 
of Ichabod Crane's encounter with the " Gralloping Hessian," so graphically 
described by Irving, in his Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It is a retired spot, 
partly overgrown by trees, where the perfect stillness is broken only by the 
warbling of the brook which runs through it. Like the story of Rip Yan 



24 



HUDSON RIVEE AND RAILROAD, 



Winkle, wliicli has clothed the rugged sides of the Kaatskill Mountains -witli 
such mysterious interest, this legend will find a place at the neighboring 
firesides for all time to come. 

Nearly opposite Tarrytown, on the west side of the river, is the village of 
Nyach, once celebrated for its quarries of red sandstone. The village is 
prettily built at the foot of a high cliff, and makes a picturesque appearance 
from the eastern shore. 

Sing Sing, thu-ty-two miles from New York, is situated partly upon ele- 
vated ground, and commands a beautiful view of the river and the surrounding 
countiy. At this place are several extensive marble quarries. A mineral 
spring, some three miles east of the village, has some reputation for its medicinal 
qualities, and a large boarding-house was erected there some years since. 

Mount Pleasant Academy, for boys, is at Sing Sing. The building is of 
Sing Sing marble, and stands upon one of the most retired streets of the vil- 
lage, commanding an extensive prospect of the river and adjacent country. 
There is also a boarding-school for young ladies at Sing Sing, elegantly located. 




State Piibon at Sing Sing. 



The principal object of interest here is the State Prison. It is situated upon 
the bank of the Hudson River, ten feet above high water mark. The railroad 
runs directly through the prison yard. The prison grounds comprise one 
hundred and thirty acres, and may be approached by vessels drawing twelve 
feet of water. The keeper's house, workshop, &c., are built of rough " Sing 
Sing marble," quarried from lands owned by the state in the vicinity. The 
main building is four hundred and eighty-four feet in length, running parallel 
with the river, and forty-four feet in width. It is five stories high, with two 
hundred cells upon each floor ; in all, one thousand cells. 

The system and discipline of this prison owe their origin to Elam Lynds, 



HUDSOX EIVER AST) RAILROAD. 25 

for many years agent of the Auburn prison. The convicts are shut up in sepa- 
rate cells at night, and on Sundays, except -when attending religious services 
in the chapel. While at work, they are not allowed to exchange a word 
with each other, under any pretence whatever ; nor to communicate any intel- 
ligence to each other in writing; nor to exchange looks, or winks, or to 
make use of any signs, except such as are necessary to convey their wants 
to the waiters. The plan of confining each convict in a separate cell during 
the night, or the " Auburn system," as it is called, was adopted at the Auburn 
prison in 182-1:. The prison at that time contained but five hundred and 
fifty cells. Being, therefore, totally insufficient to accommodate all the con- 
victs of the state, an act was passed by the Legislature, authorizing the erection 
of a new one. Sing Sing was selected as the location, and Captain Lynds as 
agent to build it. He was directed to take from the Auburn prison one hun- 
dred convicts ; to remove them to the ground selected for the site of the new 
prison ; to purchase materials, employ keepers and guards, and to commence 
the construction of the buildino;. The reasons for taking the convicts from 
Auburn, and transporting them so great a distance, iastead of fromXew 
York, were, that the convicts at the former place had been more accustomed 
to cuttiag and laying stone, and had been brought by Capt. Lynds into the 
perfect and regular state of discipKne he had established there, and which 
was indispensably necessary to their safe-keeping in the open country, and 
the_ successful prosecution of the work. 

The party arrived at Sing Sing, without accident or disturbance, in 31ay, 
182.5, without a place to receive them, or a wall to enclose them. A tem- 
porary barrack was erected to receive the convicts at night, and they were 
then set at work bmlding the prison, each one working at his trade, — one a 
carpenter, another a mason. &c., — all the time having no other means to keep 
them in obedience but the rigid enforcement of the strict discipline adopted 
at the Auburn prison. For four years the convicts, whose numbers were 
gradually increased, were engaged in building their own prison, and finally, 
completed it in 1829. The prisoners, since the building was completed, have 
been engaged considerably in quaiTying marble from the extensive ledges in 
this town. 

Opposite Sing Sing, across Tappan Bay, which is widest at this point, is 
Verdritege' s Hooh, a bold headland, rising majestically from the river. On 
this mountain there is a crystal lake, about two miles in circumference, which 
forms the source of Hackensack E^iver, and which, though not half a mile 
from the Hudson, is elevated three hundred feet above it. This is called 
Ecckland Lake, from Avhence large quantities of the very clearest ice are an- 
nually sent to Xew York. The ice, cut into large square blocks, is slid 
down to the level of the river, and, upon the opening of the spring, it is trans- 
ported in boats to the city. The Hackensack Paver falb into Xewark Bay, 
near Jersey City. 



2S 



HITSOX EIVEE AXD EAILEOAD. 



Harlem river upon a magnificent bridge of hewn granite, termed the " Higli 
Bridge," 1450 feet long, with 14 piers and 15 arches ; eight of them 80 feet 
span, and seven of 50 feet span, 114 feet above tide-water to the top, and 
which cost nearly a million of dollars. 




View of High Bridge. 

Previous to the completion of this bridge, the water was carried under the 
river in two lines of iron pipe of 36 inches in diameter. In the progress of 
preparing the foundations for the piei-s of the bridge, an embankment was 
formed across the river, and the pipe, leaving the aqueduct on the north side 
of the valley, followed down the slope of the hill, and, crossing over the river 
upon this embankment, ascended on the south side again to the aqueduct. 
At the bottom or lowest point in this pipe a branch pipe of one foot diameter 
was connected, extending a distance of SO feet from it at right angles and 
horizontally ; the end of this pipe was turned upwards to form a jet, and iron 
plates fastened upon it, so as to give any form that might be desired to the 
water issuing. The level of this branch pipe is about 120 feet below the 
lx>ttom of the aqueduct on the north side of the valley, affording an opportu- 
nity for a beautiful jet d'eau, — such an one- as cannot be obtained at the 
fountains in the city. From an orifice of 7 inches in diameter, the column 
of water rises to a height of 115 feet, when there is but two feet of water in 
the aqueduct. 

Visitors to the " High Bridge" can pass and repass upon the top with the 
most perfect secmity. It is a splendid structure, richly worth the notice of 
the traveller. Persons wishing to visit it from the city of Xew York can 
take the cars of the Hudson Eiver Eailroad to Cakaiaxsville, which is short 
of one mile distant from the Bridge. 

After crossing Harlem Eiver, the aqueduct continues to the receiving 
reservoir at S6th street, covering 35 acres, and containing 150 millions of 
gallons. From this point the line proceeds to the distributing reservoir 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 



29 





Jet at Harlem River. 



at 40tli street, and from thence the water is distributed over the city hy 
means of iron pipes. 

Haverstraw, on the west side of the river, thirty-sLs: miles from New York, is 
a neat village, pleasantly situated upon a plateau overlooking the river. It 
has constant communication with the city by steamboats. Three miles above 
Haverstraw is Stony Point, the site of a fort duiing the Revolution. Di- 
rectly opposite, on the east side of the river, is Verplanck's Point. The 
river between these two points is only half a mile across, and here was estab- 
lished what was called King's Ferry, the great highway between the eastern 
and the middle states. The ferry was commanded by the points of land on 
the two shores. Both these forts were captured by the British in May, 1779, 
and their occupation by the enemy was a great annoyance to the surrounding 
country ; besides which, a tedious circuit through the Highlands became 
necessary, in order to keep up the communication between the two divisions 
of the army. Stony Point was re-taken by a body of Americans, under Gren. 
Wayne, on the 15th of July following, and the works destroyed, though 
Washington did not retain possession of it. Both forts were, however, 
evacuated by the British in October of the same year. A light-house now 
stands upon the extremity of Stony Point, a considerable height above the 
river. 



30 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

Peekskill, forty-two miles from New York, is one of the most romantic 
places upon Hudson Kiver. The village stands close to the water, near the 
mouth of Annsville Creek, which falls into the Hudson a short distance above. 
The river here takes a sharp turn to the westward. On the opposite shore is 
Caldwell's Landing, which stands at the base of the venerable Dunderburg, 
or Thunder Mountain. From the top of this mountain a most lovely view of 
the river below is obtained ; and, in clear weather, the city and bay of New 
York may be seen. 

Peekskill is the birth-place of John Paulding, the master spirit and leader 
of the trio who arrested Andre at Tarry town. Paulding died in 1818, in 
the 60th year of his age. A monument has been erected over his remains, 
which are deposited about two miles north of the village. It is of marble, a 
pyramid about fifteen feet high, enclosed by an iron railing. 

Two miles east of the village stands the dwelling occupied by Washington 
while the American army were encamped here. This, too, was the place 
where Palmer was executed, by order of General Putnam, whose memorable 
reply to Grov. Tryon, who wrote a letter, threatening vengeance if he were 
executed, deserves an enduring record. It briefly and emphatically unfolds 
the true character of that distinguished hero. The note ran thus : — 

"Sir, — Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your service, was taken in my 
camp as a spy ; he was tried as a spy ; he was condemned as a spy ; and, 
you may rest assured, sir, he shall be hanged as a spy. 

" I have the honor to be, &c., 

" Israel Putnam. 
" P. S. — Afternoon. He is hanged." 

It was in this township, some miles south of the village of Peekskill, where 
the train of circumstances commenced, by which Major Andre was placed in 
the hands of the Americans, m 1780. The story is one which will never 
grow old. It will be remembered as a reminiscence of the Revolution as 
long as the memory of Washington is cherished. 

At the time of which we write, West Point was, without question, the 
most important post in the United States. Its almost impregnable strength 
had been increased by great expense and labor ; and it was an object upon 
which Greneral Washington perpetually kept his eye. And perhaps it is 
not too much to say that the possession of that fort, by the Americans, was 
the turning-point of success. 

It seems that Arnold, who was a spendthrift, notwithstanding his previous 
brilliant reputation as an officer, had been appointed commander in Phila- 
delphia, after the British evacuated that city. Here he adopted a style of 
living altogether beyond his means ; and he soon found himself loaded with 
debt. To retrieve himself he had recourse to fraud and peculation. His 
conduct soon rendered him odious to the citizens, and gave offence to gov- 



HUDSON RIVEK AND RAILROAD. 31 

ernment. At length complaints were made against him ; he was tried by a 
court martial and sentenced to be reprimanded by the commander-in-chief. 
This sentence General Washington, as gently as the circumstances of the ease 
would admit, carried into execution. Mortified and soured, and complaining 
of public ingratitude, Arnold attempted to effect a loan from the French min- 
ister, but without success. 

Several months before this, under the assumed name of " Gustavus" he 
had opened a correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, then at the head of the 
British army at New York. There is every reason to believe that his 
extreme want of money, and those various public rebukes, hurried him to the 
fatal determination to sell his country for gain. This was early in the year, 
and it only remained for him to settle in his mind the manner in which this 
could £G be done as to produce the greatest advantage to himself. He thought 
of "West Point, and, his resolution being taken, all his views and efforts thence- 
forward were directed to that single object. 

Cautiously, so as not to awaken the slightest suspicion, he hinted to Wash- 
ington his willingness to assume the command at West Point. He further 
prevailed upon Robert R. Livingston, then a member of Congress from New 
York, to write to the general, and suggest the expediency of appointing him 
to that station. Various other insidious means were taken by Arnold to gain 
his object, and he was at length successful ; as, on the third of August, we 
find him in full command, ripe for treason and revenge. 

Sir Henry Clinton now saw a prospect before him which claimed his whole 
attention. To get possession of West Point and its dependent posts, with 
garrison, military stores, cannon, vessels, boats, and provisions, appeared to 
him an object of such vast importance, that in attaining it no reasonable 
expense ought to be spared. The maturing of this plot was entrusted 
to Major Andre, an Adjutant General in his command ; and, to facilitate 
measures for its execution, the sloop of war Vultuke conveyed him up 
the Hudson as far as Teller's Point, where she dropped anchor. The place, 
as also that of Andre's landing, is indicated upon the map. During the 
night of September 21st, 1780, — while General Washington was absent at 
Hartford, — with a surtout thrown over his regimentals, Andre was put ashore 
in a boat and had an interview with Arnold, upon the banks of the river with- 
out the American lines. Daylight the next morning found their arrangements 
incompleted, and Andre was induced to go to the house of one Smith, a pliant 
tool of Arnold's, near Stony Point and within the American lines, and remain 
concealed during the day. Here they had time to mature their designs. 

During the day a gun was brought to bear upon the Vulture, which obliged 
her to change her position ; and at night, the boatmen refused to carry 
Andre on board the sloop. To return to New York, therefore, by land, was 
the only alternative left. To render his situation more safe, Andre laid aside 
his uniform, and, in a plain coat, upon horseback, he began his journey. He 
3^ 



82 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

was furnished with a passport in the name of John Anderson, signed by 
Arnold, " to go to White Plains, or lower, if he thought proper, he being 
upon public business by my direction." He was accompanied by the aforesaid 
Smith. They crossed the river at King's Ferry, from Stony Poi at to Yer- 
planck's, and passed the American works at those places without suspicion. 
It was now quite dark, and they were induced, from the representation of 
-danger which they received from a patrolling party which they met, to stop 
for the night at the house of Andreas Miller, near Crompond, about eight 
miles from Verplanck's Point. At the first dawn of light, Andre, who, 
according to Smith's testimony, spent a " restless night," roused his com- 
panion, and ordered their horses to be prepared for an early departure. They 
took the road towards Pine's Bridge, and pressed forward without interrup- 
tion. Here they breakfasted at the house of a good Dutch woman ; and here 
Andre and Smith separated ; the former pursuing his way toward Tarrytown, 
while the latter returned to his home. 

Andre was now upon the " Neutral Ground," as it was called. This pari 
of the country was greatly infested with a set of robbers from the " Lower' 
or British party, denominated " Cow Boys." They lived within the British 
lines, and stole or bought a supply of cattle for the army. It happened 
that the same morning on which Andre crossed Pine's Bridge, seven persons, 
who resided near Hudson's Biver, on the neutral ground, agreed voluntarily 
to go out in company, watch the road, and intercept any suspicious stragglers, 
or droves of cattle, that might be seen passing towards New York. Four of 
this party were stationed on a hill, where they had a view of the road for some 
distance. The other three, named John Paidding, David Williams, and Isaac 
Yan Wart, were concealed in the bushes about half a mile north of the village 
of Tarrytown. [See Tarrytown.] As Andre, who had met with no interrup- 
tion from Pine's Bridge, approached this spot, Paulding stepped out anct 
seized his horse by the bridle. The surprise of the moment put Andre off his 
guard, and, instead of showing his pass, he hastily asked, " Where do you 
belong ? " They answered, " Down below," meaning New York, a tru«i> 
Yankee reply. Elated with the belief that he was once more among friends, 
after so much danger, Andre instantly replied, " So do I." He then foolishly 
declared himself to be a British officer, upon urgent business, and begged that 
the men would not delay him. But his mistake was soon apparent. He was 
taken into the bushes and searched. In his boots they found six papers, as 
Paulding observed, " of a dangerous tendency." Andre now proceeded to offer 
his watch, his horse, and large amounts of money, to be set free. But he 
pleaded in vain. The nearest military post was at North Castle, where Lieut. 
Jolonel Jameson was stationed. To this place Andre was taken. 

Andre still passed for John Anderson, and requested permission to write to 
General Arnold to inform him that he was detained. Col. Jameson thought- 
lessly permitted the letter to be sent, and forwarded to General Washington 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 33 

the papers found upon the prisoner, with a statement of the manner in which 
he was taken. The General was then on his return from Plartford, and the 
express took a road different from that on which he was travelling, and passed 
him. This occasioned so great a loss of time, that Arnold, having received 
Andre's letter, made his escape on board the Vulture before the order for 
his aiTest arrived at West Point. 

As soon as Andre learned that Arnold was safe, he flung off all disguise, 
and assumed his true character as a British officer. General Washington 
referred his case to a board of fourteen general officers, of which Generals 
La Fayette and Steuben were members. They were to determine in what 
character he was to be considered, and what punishment ought to be inflicted. 
They treated Andre with great delicacy and tenderness, desiring him to 
answer no questions that embarrassed his feelings. But, concerned only for 
his honor, he frankly confessed that he did not come on shore under a flag, 
and stated so fully all facts respecting himself, that it became unnecessary to 
examine a single witness. The board, after due consideration, gave it as 
their opinion that Andre was a spy ; and that, agreeably to the laws and 
usages of nations, he ought to sufTer death. His execution took place the 
following day. [See Tappan.] 

Andre was reconciled to death, but not to the mode of dying. He wrote 
to Gen. Washington, soliciting that he might be shot, rather than to die on a 
gibbet. But the stern maxims of justice forbade a compliance with this 
request. 

Great, but unavailing, endeavors were made by' Sir Henry Clinton to save 
Andre. Even Arnold had the presumption to write a threatening letter to 
Washington on the subject. An exchange for Arnold was suggested in an 
indirect manner, but Clinton would not listen to the proposal. Arnold was 
subsequently appointed Major General in the British army, and served out 
the war in that capacity. He was also paid the sum of fifty thousand dollars. 
After the war was finished he returned to England, where he died, in 1801, 
at the age of sixty-one years. He lived to be despised as well by those he 
served as those he attempted to betray ; and his name is held in execration 
by the whole civilized world. 

One mile above Peekskill, the cars pass along close to the base of An- 
thony's Nose. This mountain is a complete mass of rock, partly covered in 
some places with stunted trees. It rises very abruptly from the river to the 
height of 1128 feet. On the opposite shore of the river is the Dunderburg, 
presenting a romantic spectacle. Between these two elevations is that part 
of Hudson Elver termed the "Horse Race," a name derived from the 
rapidity of the current at this point at ebb tide. 

Various stories are told concerning the manner in which one of these 
mountains obtained its name. The following is generally believed to be 
" genuine." Before the Be volution, a vessel was passing up the river, under 



34 HUDSON" EIVER AISTD KAILEOAD. 

tlie command of Captain Hogans. He had an enormous nose, which was 
frequently the subject of joking among the crew. ^Tien immediately oppo- 
site this mountain, the mate looked rather quizzically, first at the mountain 
and then at the captain's nose. " What," said Captain Hogans, " does that 
look like my nose? "Well, then, let us call it Anthony's Nose." The story 
was repeated on shore, and the mountain thenceforward assumed the name, 
becoming an everlasting monument to the memory of Captain Anthony 
Hogans and his nose. 

About opposite the second tunnel, above Peekskill, stand the two forts, 
Clinton and Montgomery, one upon each side of the mouth of a small stream 
which falls into the Hudson at this point. These forts were the main 
defences of the Highlands during the Revolution. They were too high to be 
battered from the water, and surrounded by steep and rugged hills, which 
made the approach to them on the land side very difficult. To stop the 
ascent of the enemy's ships, frames of timber, with projecting beams shod 
with iron, were sunk in the river. A boom, formed of large trees fastened 
too-ether, extended from bank to bank: and in front of this boom was 
stretched a huge ii'on chain. Higher up the river, upon a small island, was 
Fort Constitution, and here was another boom and chain. Forts Montgomery 
and Clinton, having been left with a force of only eight hundred men, under 
the belief that they were secure, were captured by the British, October 6, 
1777. At that time General Burgoyne was closely hemmed in near Sara- 
toga, by General Gates. Sir Henry Clinton, anxious to afford General Bur- 
goyne an opportunity to force his way to Hudson River, left New York on 
the fifth of October with four thousand troops, and landed at Yerplanek's 
Point. While a part of this force led General Putnam, who was at Peeks- 
kill, to believe that Fort Independence was the object of the expedition, a 
stronger party crossed the river to Stony Point, and, pushing inland through 
the mountain defiles, approached in rear of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, 
of which the entne gai-rison did not exceed six hundred men, and both were 
captured. Immediately after the news of the surrender of Biu-goyne's ai-my, 
which took place October 16, the forts were evacuated by the captors. 

Garrison's, fifty miles from New York, is the station at which West 
Point passengers leave the trains. A ferry connects the two places. Two 
miles below this station, on the western shore of the river, are the Buttermilk 
Falls. These present a very beautiful appeai-anee, especially when the 
stream is swollen by heavy rains. The water descends, for more than a 
hundred feet, in two successive cascades, spreading out in sheets of milk-white 
foam. 

West Point, fifty-one miles from New York, is unquestionably the most 
romantic place upon the Hudson River. The approach to it is highly inter- 
esting. The village is placed upon the top of a promontory one hundred and 
eighty-eight feet above the river, where there is spread out a level plateau or 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 



35 




36 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

terrace, more than a mile in circumference. The declivity is very steep on 
all sides, and the surrounding craggy hills seem to be nothing but masses of 
rocks, fantastically heaped by nature, crowding the stream below into a 
channel less than half a mile in width. 

West Point is chiefly noted as the seat of the Military Academy, estab- 
lished here in 1802. The land — about two hundred and fifty acres — was 
/Ceded to the United States by New York in 1826. The buildings are two 
stone barracks occupied by two hundred and fifty cadets, the limited number ; 
a large stone building, for military exercises in the winter, and as a depository 
for models of fortifications, &c. ; a two-story stone building, with three towers, 
for astronomical purposes; a chapel, hospital, mess-rooms, &c., &c., and a 
number of other dwelling-houses for the ofilcers of the institution. 

The number of applications for admission to the "West Point Academy is 
so great that the candidate must feel his claims to be transcendent who can 
calculate upon admission with any degree of certainty. The ratio of appoint- 
ments is about three for every congressional district in four years. In select- 
ing candidates for admission, the descendants of revolutionary ofiicers, and of 
those who served in the last war, are considered as having peculiar claims to 
notice. There is no other distinction between the candidates, save their 
accredited talents and abilities to be of public service. The age of admission 
is from sixteen to twenty-one. 

The months of July and August of each year are devoted solely to mili- 
tary exercises ; for which purpose the cadets leave the barracks and encamp 
in tents on the plain, under the regular police and discipline of an army in 
time of war. For this purpose, the cadets are organized into a battalion of 
four companies, under the command of the chief instructor of tactics and his 
assistants. The corporals are chosen from the third class, or cadets who have 
been present one year ; the sergeants from the second class, who have been 
present two years; and the commissioned officers, or captains, lieutenants, 
&c., from the first class, or highest at the academy. All the other cadets 
fill the ranks as private soldiers, although necessarily acquainted with the 
duties of officers. In rotation they have to perform the duty of sentinels, at 
all times, day or night, storm or sunshine. The drills, or military exercises, 
consist in the use of the musket, rifle, cannon, mortar, howitzer, sabre and 
rapier, or broad-sword; fencing, firing at targets, &e., evolutions of troops, 
including those of the line ; and the preparation and preserving of all kinds 
of ammunition and materials of war. The personal appearance of the corps 
of cadets cannot fail to attract admiration, especially when on parade. The 
uniform is a gray coatee, with gray pantaloons in winter, and white linen in 
summer. The dress cap is of black leather, bell-crowned, with plate, 
chain, &c. 

The cadets return from camp duty to the barracks on the last of August, 
and the remaining part of the year is devoted to study. The ceremony of 



HUDSON KIVER AND RAILROAD. 37 

striking the tents and marching out of camp is so imposing as to be well 
worth an effort of the visitor to be present on that occasion. On the previ- 
ous evening the camp is brilliantly illuminated ; and, enlivened with music, 
dancing, and crowds of strangers, it presents quite an interesting and pleas- 
ant scene. 

Near the north-east extremity of the ground, at the projecting point formed 
by an abrupt bend of the river, is a monument of white marble, consisting of 
a base and a short column, on the former of which is the simple inscription, 
"Kosciusko — erected by the corps of Cadets, 1828." It cost $5,000. 
Another monument, on a gentle hillock at the north-west extremity of the 
plain, was erected to the memory of Col. E. D. Wood, a pupil of the institu- 
tion, who fell leading a charge at the sortie of Fort Erie, on the 17th of 
September, 1814. On the river bank, near the parade-ground, upon a 
lower level, is Kosciusko's garden, whither he was accustomed to retire for 
study or reflection. Near this spot is a clear boiling spring, enclosed in a 
marble reservoir, with durable and ornamental steps leading down from the 
plain above, with seats upon a projection of the rock for visitors. 

There is a splendid hotel on the brow of the hill, which is approached by 
a good carriage-road from the landing ; or the pedestrian may reach it by the 
foot-path, much shorter and more difficult. The view from the observatory 
of this hotel is very fine, especially on the north, looking towards Newburg. 
The dim outlines of the Shawangunk Mountains may be distinctly seen in 
fine weather. 

Near the steamboat landing is the rock from which a chain was stretched 
across the river during the Revolution. It was broken by the British vessels 
in their passage up the river, after the capture of Forts Clinton and Mont- 
gomery ; and some links of it, near three feet long, made of bar iron two 
inches square, are still preserved as a revolutionary relic. 

At this time West Point was not fortified. In April, 1778, General 
Grates proceeded up the river, accompanied by several eminent engineers, to 
erect such impediments as should effectually prevent the ascent, above the 
Highlands, of the enemy's ships. The new fortifications were zealously pros- 
ecuted, under the direction of Kosciusko, the Polish chieftain, at whose sug- 
gestion the works at West Point were commenced. The principal work was 
Fort Clinton, which stood upon the plateau on which the Military Academy 
has since been built. This fort, in turn, was protected by several redoubts 
higher up the cliff, the most important of which was Fort Putnam, 598 feet 
above the river. These covered each other, and the main garrison and am- 
munition stores were under bomb-proof casements. The works were partly 
hewn in rock, and impregnable. Fort Putnam and most of the others are 
now in ruins ; but the important situation suggests how easily and effectually 
the post could be again armed, should occasion require. The ascent to the 



38 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

site of Fort Putnam is tedious and difficult ; but the visitor will be repaid 
tenfold for his labor by the view from that elevation. 

And it may be proper here to state, that the traveller who merely passes 
up through this region, — unquestionably the grandest and most picturesque 
upon this continent, — either by steamboat or by railroad, without stopping, 
knows nothing at all about the beauty of the Highlands of Hudson River. 
He who possesses a vivid fancy might imagine what a wonderful view would 
open before him from the side or summit of Anthony's Nose, or old Cro' 
Nest, or Bull Hill ; but it would be naught else but imagination. He must 
see for himself, from reality, or he loses a picture which he would never for- 
get. He must ramble over this almost barren region, and do it at his leisure, 
or he will have no adequate conception of the enchanting prospect which will 
at every step meet his eyes. 

Cold Spring, two miles above G-arrison's, fifty-four miles from NeAV York, 
]s a romantic place, and owes much of its prosperity to the iron foundery 
established here by Gouverneur Kemble. The works are situated about a 
mile west of the village, upon a small stream which tumbles rapidly down the 
mountains, affording considerable water power. It is the largest establish- 
ment of its kind in the country, employing nearly five hundred hands con- 
stantly. 

Undercliff, the conntry-seat of G-eneral George P. Morris, is near the 
village of Cold Spring. It is situated upon an elevated plateau, rising 
from the eastern shore of the river ; and the selection of such a commanding 
and beautiful position at once decides the taste of its intellectual proprietor. 
In the rear of the villa, cultivation has placed her fruit and forest-trees with a 
profuse hand, and fertilized the fields with a variety of vegetable products. 
The extent of the grounds is abruptly terminated by the base of a rocky 
mountain, that rises nearly perpendicular to its summit, and affords in winter 
a secure shelter from the bleak blasts of the north. In front, a circle of 
greensward is refreshed by a fountain in the centre, gushing from a Grecian 
vase, and encircled by ornamental shrubbery ; from thence a gravelled walk 
winds down a gentle declivity to a second plateau, and again descends to the 
entrance of the carriage road, which leads upwards along the left slope of the 
Mil, through a noble forest, the growth of many years, until, suddenly emerg- 
ing from its sombre shades, the visitor beholds the mansion before him in the 
bright blaze of day. A few openings in the wood afford an opportunity to 
catch a glimpse of the water, sparkling with reflected light ; and the imme- 
diate transition from shadow to sunshine is peculiarly pleasing. 

Immediately opposite Cold Spring, rising almost perpendicular from the 
water, stands the old Cro' Nest, one of the most beautiful elevations in 
America. This mountain is the scene of Rodman Drake's exquisite poem of 
"The Culprit Fay;" and the description of the place is so natural and 
striking, that it will be quite in place here. 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD, 



39 




40 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

" 'T is the middle watch of a summer's night, — 
The earth is dark, but the heavens are bright ; 
Nought is seen in the vault on high, 
But the moon, and the stars, and the cloudless sky. 
And the flood which rolls its milky hue, — 
A river of light on the welkin blue. 
The moon looks down on old Crow Nest, 
She mellows the shade on his shaggy breast, 
And seems his huge gray form to throw 
In a silver cone on the wave below ; 
His sides are broken by spots of shade, 
By the walnut boughs and the cedar made. 
And through their clustering branches dark 
Glimmers and dies the firefly's spark, — 
Like starry twinkles that momently break 
Through the rifts of the gathering tempest rack. 

The stars are on the moving stream, 

And fling, as its ripples gently flow, 

A burnished length of wavy beam, 

In an eel-like, spiral line below. 

The winds are whist, and the owl is still, 

The bat in the shelvy rock is hid ; 

And nought is heard on the lonely hill 

But the cricket's chirp and the answer shrill 

Of the gauze-winged katy-did ; 

And the plaints of the mourning whip-poor-will. 

Who mourns unseen, and ceaseless sings 

Ever a note of wail and woe, 

Till morning spreads her rosy wings, 

And earth and skies in her glances glow. 

'T is the hour of fairy ban and spell : 
The wood-tick has kept the minutes well ; 
She has counted them all with click and stroke. 
Deep in the heart of the mountain-oak ; 
And he has awakened the sentry-elve. 
Who sleeps with him in the haunted tree. 
To bid him ring the hour of twelve, 
Ajid call the fays to their revelry." 

Albove Cold Spring we have Bull Hill, 1586 feet, Breakneck Hill, upon 
the extremity of wliieli so many steamboat passengers have tried to imagine 
the profile of a human face, or "Turk's face," 1187 feet; and Beacon Hill. 
the last of the range of Highlands upon the eastern shore, 1685 feet high. 
On the western shore, Butter Hill, 1529 feet, closes the range. This latter 
elevation forms a more impressive sight to the traveller than the others, from 
its immense masses of towering rock, its sudden rise from the river, and its 
great height. The village of Cornioall lies directly at the foot of Butter 
Hill, on the north. 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 41 

FisiiKiLL, sixty miles from New York, is a busy, thriving town. The 
station is at Fishkill Landing, the centre of the town being some miles back 
from the river. The manufacturing village of Matteawan lies about a mile 
from the Landing near the north of Matteawan Creek, which supplies its 
water-power. The situation of this village is romantic in the highest degree. 
The stream falls i-apidly, affording constant power for several factories of the 
largest class. The village is completely hemmed in by steep and rugged 
hiUs, rendering the scene picturesque and pleasing. 

A railroad from Providence, R. I., to Fishkill, by way of Hartford, Conn., 
has been projected, and partly built. As the Newburg branch of the Erie 
Railroad has its terminus directly opposite, this would make a direct line to 
Buffalo and the great West. 

The stranger, who wishes to carry away a distinct impression of this section 
of the Hudson, will not fail to visit Beacon Hill, just back of the village, the 
last summit of the Highlands of any considerable altitude as the range dips 
off to the north-east; and, it may be added, the highest one upon the river. 
An hour's ride, partly through the fine arable lands of Dutchess, and partly 
through the thick overhanging foliage of the mountain road, brings you to the 
summit. A few occasional glimpses through the trees, with now and then 
a broader opening at some curve of the road, beautiful though they be, give 
you but a slight foretaste of the magnificent prospect reserved for you upon 
the summit. This summit — a rounded peak of primitive granite, bare, or 
only tufted here and there with a few groups of small trees, with no habita- 
tions or traces of cultivation upon it — affords a view at once one of the grandest 
and most beautiful that can be found in America. Rising, as it does, rather 
abruptly from the plain, on the east bank, the spectator, gazing from its 
height upon the scene before him to the west and north, is placed, as it were, 
upon the boundary of a vast picture, which is continued by the Highlands in 
the south, the summits of Shawangunk range in the west, and the Catskill 
in the north, quite round the entire view. Within this circle the ma- 
terials of the beautiful and the picturesque are arranged with all the 
grandeur, the softness, the beauty of detail, that the most fastidious connois- 
seur of fine scenery can desire. Before you lies the Hudson, swollen into a 
lovely expanse or bay, meandering to the north until it is lost in the distance, 
sprinkled through its whole course with the white sails of the numberless 
vessels that float upon its surface. Sloping away from its banks rise the fine 
cultivated fields ; the clustered villages, the elegant villas, and the neat cot- 
tao-es gleaming through the tufts of foliage that surrounds them. As the dis- 
tance intervenes, these all gradually mingle into one indistinct and un- 
dulating carpet of gi*een, colored with various tints by the ripe and ripening 
grain. It was early in the autumn when we climbed the summit of this moun- 
tain on foot. The foliage had been changed to many gaudy hues by the 
frost, and to us, used as we are to ascend every eminence in our wanderings, 



42 HUDSON IIIVER AND RAILROAD. 

where the beauties of nature can be seen to advantage, this view appeared to 
surpass all others, not in grandeur, but in beauty. 

Beacon Hill was a station for the display of bonfires during the Eevolu- 
tion, which, from its elevated position, denoted the movements of the enemy 
to the inhabitants for a great distance through the surrounding counties. 

Netvhurg, directly opposite Fishkill, and with which place there is a con- 
stant communication by means of a ferry, is one of the largest and most im- 
portant towns upon Hudson River. The village stands upon a pretty 
acclivity, rising with a sharp ascent from the river. The view from the 
steamboats, as they approach the landing, is surpassingly beautiful. 

Newburg was originally settled by emigrant Palatines, in 1798. The 
present population is about ten thousand. A large amount of business is 
transacted here by the surrounding towns ; the main street, upon market days, 
presenting the thronged and busy appearance of a city, being crowded with 
teams, and lively with the bustle of traders. Two or three steamboats ply 
constantly with New York, during the summer months, to do the freighting 
and other local business of the place. A large part of this must unques- 
tionably be hereafter done by the Hudson River Railroad. 

A branch of the Erie Railroad, leaving the main line at Chester, twenty- 
miles distant, has its termination at Newburg. This branch furnishes a direct 
line to Buffalo and the great West. 

From the top of the hill, in the rear of the village, there is a very fine and 
extensive prospect. The villages of Fishkill and Matteawan, upon the east 
bank of the river, especially, make a very graceful appearance. 

A short distance south of Newburg village still stands the old stone man- 
sion in which General Washington held his head-quarters when the army was 
encamped here during the Revolution. It is visited by many as a spot ren- 
dered sacred by its former occupant, and by the cause in which he fought. 
Americans will not soon forget the noble answer of Gen. Washington, written 
from this place, to Lewis Nicola, who had, as the head of a party of oiEcers, 
suggested to him the propriety of establishing a monarchy and making him a 
king. His reply, considering that at that time the war was literally at an 
end, and the independence of his country established, is worthy of record. 
It ran as follows : — 

" Newburg, lid May, 1782. 

" Sir, — With a mixture of great surprise and astonishment, I have read 
with attention the sentiments you have submitted to my perusal. Be assured, 
sir, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me more painful sensa- 
tions than your information of there being such ideas existing in the army as 
you have expressed, and which I must view with abhorrence and repreh^d 
with severity. For the present, the communication of them will rest in my 
own bosom, unless some further agitation of the matter shall make a disclos- 
ure necessary. 



HUDSON RIYER AXL RAILROAD. 43 

" I am mucli at a loss to conceive wliat part of my conduct could have 
given encouragement to such an address, wliich to me seems big with the 
greatest mischiefs that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the 
knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your 
schemes are more disagreeable. At the same time, to do justice to my own 
feelings, I must add, that no man possesses a more sincere wL;h to see ample 
justice done to the army than I do ; and as far as my power and influence in 
a constitutional way extend, they shall be employed to the utmost of my 
abilities to effect it, should there be occasion. Let me conjure you then, if 
you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or 
respect for me, to banish these thoughts from your mind, and never commu- 
nicate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the like nature. 

"I am, sir, &c., 

" G-EOEGE Yv'aSKIXGTOX." 

Low PoixT, sixty-four miles, is in the noith part of the town of Fishkill. 
It is a small settlement. 



W- 

t: 





2r' 



Tunnel at J\~cw Hamburg. 

New Hambheg, sixty-seven miles, is situated directly at the mouth of 
Wappinger's Creek, a considerable stream, which has its rise in the north- 
east part of Dutchess county, near the Connecticut line. The vUlage is situ- 
ated upon both sides of the river's mouth, across which there is a good bridge. 
A ferry connects it with Hampton, across the river. 

Hampton, opposite Xew Hamburg, is a small settlement, in the south part 
of the town of 3IarTborough. Two nules above is ^lilton, another village in 
the same town. 

Melton Peket, or Bamegat, sixty-nine miles and a half from Xew York, 
4=^ 



44 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

in the township of Poughkeepsie, is noted for its great number of lime-kilns. 
A ferry connects it with Milton, on the west bank of the river. 

Poughkeepsie, seventy-four miles from New York, is the "half-way" 
station upon the Hudson River Railroad. It will justly rank with the first 
villages in New York or New England. Occupying an elevated position, 
it is seen conspicuously, both in ascending and descending the stream. The 
river bank is of considerable height, and projects into the stream, forming two 
promontories. The southern one, termed " Call Rock," so covers the landing 
that it is not seen from steamboats until they are quite near the wharf. 

Pouglikeepsie was settled by the Dutch in 1735. It is now the court 
town of Dutchess county, next to the richest in the state. The village is very 
compactly built, spacious, and well paved, the population about twelve thou- 
sand. Like Newburg, this place is a general trading depot for the large 
number of flourishing country villages in the immediate neighborhood. On 
a busy day, the throng upon Main-street would do no discredit to the prin- 
cipal thoroughfares of a large city. 

The Collegiate School is pleasantly situated upon College Hill, half a mile 
north-east of the village. Its location is one of unrivalled beauty, com- 
manding an extensive prospect of the river and surrounding country. In- 
deed, the stranger can hardly ascend any moderately elevated ground in the 
neighborhood, — and we may say the same of the entire distance upon the 
banks of the Hudson, — without witnessing a continual succession of fine 
landscape views. And herein consists the charm of Hudson River scenery. 

A small creek, called " Fall Creek," after meandering over the plain back 
of the village, falls into the Hudson just above the railroad station, by a suc- 
cession of rapids which furnish considerable water-power. This was one of 
the most difiicult sections upon the road to build. Several ferry-boats ply 
between Poughkeepsie and the villages upon the opposite shore. 

New Paltz, a small village directly opposite Poughkeepsie, is the landing 
for passengers for the town of the same name, lying some eight miles west. 
It has a ferry to Poughkeepsie. 

Hyde Park, eighty-one miles. Both the village and the landing are 
directly upon the river. There are several fine country-seats upon the banks 
north and south of the village. Near this place the Crumelbow Creek falls 
into the Hudson, and affords a considerable water-power. 

Pelham, nearly opposite Hyde Park, is connected with it by a ferry. It 
is partly in the town of Esopus. 

Staatsburg, eighty-four miles and a half. This is a small village. The 
station here is half a mile from the river, one of the greatest detours upon the 
line. 

RniNEBECK, ninety miles, is a place of considerable size, situated upon a 
fertile plain, two miles from the river. The station is at Rhinebeck Landing, 
where the steamboats land and receive passengers. 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 45 

Rondout, directly opposite, upon the mouth of Rondout Creek, or Wall- 
kill River, is connected with it by a ferry. Two miles north-west is Kings- 
ton, a large and thriving village. Two miles above Rondout, upon the 
Wallkill, is the village of Eddyville, the termination of the Delaware and 
Hudson Canal. These villages are all in the town of Kingston, and are 
rapidly increasing in population and wealth. 

The Delaware and Hudson Canal, beginning at Eddyville, ascends the 
valley of the Wallkill, and passes into the valley of the Nevisink River, 
which it follows to its junction with the Delaware, at Port Jervis. It then 
follows up this river to its junction with the Lackawaxen ; thence up the 
latter river to its termination at Honesdale, Penn. Its length is 109 miles, 
with 950 feet of rise and fall, by 106 locks. It cost two millions two hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars. It is used chiefly for the transportation of 
coal. By using the railroad extending from Honesdale to the Wyoming 
coal-field, at Carbondale, sixteen miles, it affords a cheap and direct entrance 
for coal into the heart of the state. 

After the taking of Forts Montgomery and Clinton, in 1777, [see Peeks- 
kill,] part of the British fleet ascended the Hudson to this place, where the 
commander, General Vaughan, caused the village to be burned, and great 
quantities of provisions and stores to be destroyed. Here his further prog- 
ress was stayed by the appalling news of the surrender of Burgoyne's whole 
army, and he made a hasty retreat with his vessels to New York. Soon 
after, the Americans fortified West Point, and the towns above that fort were 
never afterwards troubled by the incursions of the enemy. 

Barrytown, or Lower Red Hook Landing, ninety-five miles and a half, 
and TivoLi, or Upper Red Hook Landing, one hundred miles, are both 
within the town of Red Hook, some miles from the central village. Oppo- 
site Tivoli, upon the mouth of Esopus Creek, is the flourishing town of Sau- 
gerties. This is a place of quite recent and rapid growth. The creek has a 
fall of 47 feet, which furnishes a large amount of water-power. Several 
manufacturing establishments have been erected, besides which there are the 
Ulster iron works, white lead works, and an axe manufactory. A hand- 
some bridge has been thrown across the creek, uniting the two portions of the 
village, standing upon both sides of the stream. There is constant commu- 
nication with Tivoli by means of a ferry. 

GrERMANTOWN, Or East Camp, one hundred and four miles. This town 
was settled by the Palatines, in 1710. 

Oak Hill, one hundred and eleven miles. This station is in the southern 
extremity of Greenport. Passengers for Catskill leave the cars at this station 
crossing the Hudson by a ferry-boat which plies between the two places. 

Catskill, or Kaatskill, as the Dutch still call it, the seat of justice of 
Greene county, stands upon the banks of Catskill Creek, near its confluence 
with tbe Hudson. The mouth of the creek makes a fine harbor for sloops 



46 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 



and boats ; and a long, narrow dyke, walled with stone, connects the village 
with a small island near the middle of the river, affording a commodious 
landing for the steamboats. It is essentially a very Dutch appearing village ; 
and here, as well as at many other Dutch towns upon the Hudson, the old 
inhabitants still retain their mother tongue, and the perpetual jabber, so easy 
to recognize, is frequently heard. It should be added that, besides the lan- 
guage, most of the descendants of the Dutch retain also the frugality of their 
forefathers. 

About a mile from the village is a limestone cave, said to have an extent 
of nearly half a mile. 




Catskill Mountains, from Chatham. 

From Catskill, stages run several times each day to the Catskill Moun- 
tain House, a distance of twelve miles. The time required for the ascent is 
four hours ; half the time being sufficient to return. The journey up the 
mountain is safe, yet rather tedious and difficult. For a greater part of the 
way the road is very uneven, and the last portion of it a very steep ascent 
in a zig-zag direction. When once there, the traveller will be amply rewarded 
for his exertions. 

"The Mountain House is a large, irregular building, but spacious, and 
comfortably furnished. It stands upon the table rock, a few yards from the 
sheer verge — an elevation of eighteen hundred feet above the apparent plain, 
and twenty-seven hundred above the level of the river. There is a narrow 
strip of green just in front, under the long and capacious piazza, beautifully 
ornamented with young fir and cedar trees, and a variety of shrubs. Then 
comes a strip of bare rock, overlooking the awful abyss. 

" A sea of woods is at your feet, but so far below, that the large hills seem 
but slight heavings of the green billowy mass ; before you lies a vast land- 
scape, stretching far as the eye can take in the picture ; a map of earth, with 
its fields, its meadows, its forests, and its villages and cities scattered in the 
distance ; its streams and lakes diminished, like the dwellings of man, into 
insignificance. Through the midst winds the sweeping river, the mighty 
Hudson, lessened to a rill ; or it might be likened to a riband laid over a 
ground of green. Still further on are the swelling uplands, and then far 



HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 47 

along the horizon mountains piled upon mountains, melting into the distance, 
rising range above range, till the last and loftiest fades into the hlue of the 
sky. Over this magnificent panorama the morning sun pours a mLsty radi- 
ance, half veiling, yet adding to its beauty, and tinting the Hudson with 
silver. Here and there the bright river is dotted with sails, and sometimes a 
steamboat can be seen winding its apparently slow way along. The clouds, 
that fling their fitful shadows over the country below, are on a level with you 
— ^^even the birds seldom soar higher than your feet; the resting-place of the 
songster, whose flight can no longer be traced from the plain, is still far belo^o 

you." 

Two miles from the hotel are the Kaaterskill Falls, upon a stream flowing 
from two lakes, each about a mile and a half in circumference, and about half a 
mile in the rear of the house. After a west course of about a mile and a 
half, the waters fall perpendicularly 175 feet, and, pausing momentarily upon 
a ledge of rock, precipitate themselves 8.5 feet more, making the whole de- 
scent of the cataract 260 feet. Below this point the current is lost in a dark 
ravine, through which it seeks the valley of the Catskill. The water-fall, 
with all its boldness, fonns, however, but one of the interesting features of the 
scene. From the edge of the falls is beheld a dreary chasm, whose steep 
sides, covered with dark ivy and thick summer foliage, seem like a green bed 
formed for the waters. Making a circuit from this spot, and descending 
about midway of the first falls, the spectator enters an immense natural am- 
phitheatre behind the cascade, roofed by a magnificent ceiling of rock, hav- 
ing in front the falling torrent, and beyond it the wild mountain dell, over 
which the clear blue sky is visible. The falls on the west branch of the 
Kaaterskill have a perpendicular descent of more than 120 feet, and the 
stream descends in rapids and cascades 400 feet in 100 rods. The KaaterskUl 
has a devious and veiy rapid course, of about eight miles, to the Catskill, near 
the town. The falls are best seen from below, and the view from the Pine 
Orchard is better between three o'clock and sunset than in the middle of 
the day. 

Hudson, one hundred and fifteen miles, a city, port of entry, and capital 
of Columbia county, stands at the head of ship navigation. The main portion 
of the town is built upon a bold promontory, sixty feet above the river, com- 
manding a fine view of the suiTOunding country. 

The city is regularly laid out, the streets crossing each other at right 
angles, with the exception of two near the river, which follow the direction 
of the shore. The main street extends south-east more than a mile, to 
Prospect Hill, which is 200 feet high. 

Near the station and steamboat landing are several warehouses, which, with 
the steamboats and shipping at the wharves, afford ample evidence of the 
enterprise of the inhabitants. The Hudson and Berkshire Eailroad, thirty 
three miles in length, extending to West Stockbridge, Mass., where it unites 



48 HUDSON RIVER AND RAILROAD. 

with the Western and Housatonic roads, terminates at Hudson. Distance th 
Boston by this route, 193 miles. Passengers for Lebanon Springs take 
this route as far as Edwards' Depot, which is but eight miles from the Springs. 
From thence they are taken by stage. 

Athens, opposite Hudson, is connected with it by a ferry. The village '15 
built along the shore about a mile and a half. The ground rises gradually 
from the shore, affording some fine sites for country-seats. The shore is bold 
and rocky, ■nnd the channel close to the village. 

Stockport, one hundred and twenty miles, lies at the mouth of Kinder- 
hook Creek, a stream of considerable size, having its rise in Hancock, Mass. 
Within three miles of the Hudson, this stream falls 160 feet, affording, to a 
limited extent, water-power for several mills. At Columbiaville, at the 
mouth of Claveratik Creek, which falls into the Kinderhook near Stockport, 
there are several large manufactories, and quite a village. 

Stuyvesant, one hundred and twenty-five miles, is a flourishing village, 1 

that sends large quantities of produce annually to the New York market. 
Kinderhook passengers land at this place. Kinderhook is the birth-place of 
Ex-President Martin Van Buren, who now resides about two miles south of 
the village. It is six miles from the river. 

Goxsachie, one mile south of Stuyvesant, on the opposite shore, is a place 
of business. Nutter Hook, directly opposite, is a bustling little place, and 
has some shipping. 

New Baltimore, four miles above Coxsackie, is a thriving village, a land- 
ing for the river boats. Above this place the river is dotted with a large 
number of small islands, which, when covered with foliage, present a fine 
prospect. 

ScHODACK, one hundred and thirty-one miles, and CoeymarCs directly 
opposite, are small villages. 

Castleton, one hundred and thirty-five miles. There is a bar forming^ 
in the river, near this place, that threatens considerable injury to naviga- 
tion. Indeed, the river, at several pomts above, at low water, is difficult to 
ascend, in consequence of sand-bars which are continually changing. A 
large amount of money has been expended in deepening the channel, but it 
soon fills up again. 

GrREENBUSii, One hundred and forty-three miles, is the northern terminus 
of the Hudson River Railroad. The Troy and Grreenbush road, six miles in 
length, is run by the former company under a lease. Passengers can cross 
the ferry here to Albany, or continue on to Troy, trains being run every 
hour, and immediately upon the arrival of the New York trains. The 
western terminus of the Albany and Boston is also at Grreenbush. Exten- 
sive depot accommodations have already been erected here, which will soon 
be increased, and the vast business in freighting done by the various roads 
will tend to render this village a very important point. 



HUDSON mVEK AND RAILROAD. 



Albany city, the capital of New York, is directly opposite Greenbush, with 
which there is constant communication by means of a ferry. The city is 
built upon a flat alluvial tract of land, along the margin of the river, from 15 
to 100 rods wide, back of which it rises abruptly, attaining, within the space 
of half a mile, an elevation of 153 feet, and in one mile 220 feet above the 
river. Beyond this the surface is level. The older portions of the city are 
laid out very irregularly, and some of them are very narrow. The streets 
recently built are more spacious and regular. State street is from 150 to 




Greenbusk Station, fioin ^lUnnnj. 

170 feet wide, and has a steep ascent to the top of the hill. Many of the 
private, and more especially the public, buildings of Albany have fine situa- 
tions, and overlook an extensive and a beautiful prospect. 

The Capitol, which stands at the head of State street, on the hill, is a large 
stone edifice, 115 feet long, and 90 feet broad, fronting east, on a fine square. 
It contains spacious and richly furnished apartments for the accommodation 
of the Senate and Assembly, and various rooms for other public purposes. 
From the observatory at the top, which is accessible to visitors, a fine view 
of the city and surrounding country is obtained. The City Hall is on the 
east side of the same square, facing west, and is constructed with marble, 
with a gilded dome. The Albany Academy, built of freestone, adjoining 
the square, has a park in front of it ; and both squares are surrounded by an 
iron fence, and constitute a large and beautiful public ground, laid out with 
walks, and ornamented with trees. The Exchange, at the foot of State street, 
is a commodious building of granite, constructed a few years since. The Post- 
office is in this building. It has also an extensive reading-room, supplied 
with papers and periodicals, both American and foreign, to which strangers 
are admitted without charge. 

The situation of Albany for trade and commerce can hardly be surpassed. 
Besides its natural advantages, railroads now centre here from each of the 
four cardinal points ; and the Erie and Champlain Canals add immensely to 
her resources. 

Troy' city is situated on the east bank of the river, at the head of tide 
water. It is a port of entry, and capital of Bensselaer county. It is cele- 
brated for its beauty and healthiness ; most of its streets are wide, laid out at 



50 HUDSON EJVEIl AND KAILROAD. 

right angles, and planted with trees. Mount Ida, directly in the rear of the 
south part of the city, and Mount Olympus in the north, are distinguished 
eminences, affording fine views of the country. The city is abundantly sup- 
plied with water, by iron pipes, from a basin in Lansingburg, 75 feet above 
the city. It has numerous hotels, some of which are admirably kept. 

West Tkoy, a suburb of Troy, on the opposite side of the river, is a man- 
ufacturing village, rapidly increasing in business and importance. A fine 
macadamized road extends from this place to Albany, a distance of six 
miles. Coaches run hourly over the road. 

Like her rival, Troy has her morning and evening line of steamboats to 
New York, which are in no degree behind the Albany boats in comfort, 
speed or elegance. The fere to New York is usually the same from both 
cities. 

Saratoga Springs are easily reached from either Albany or Troy. From 
Albany, by the Albany and Schenectady Railroad, sixteen miles ; thence, 
by the Saratoga and Schenectady Railroad, twenty-one miles, — total, thirty- 
seven miles. From Troy there are two routes, viz., one by way of the 
Troy and Schenectady Railroad, twenty miles, and thence as by Albany 
route, — forty-one miles; the other by the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad, 
terminating at Balston Spa, twenty-four miles, thence by Saratoga Railroad, 
seven miles, — total, thirty-one miles. 

The traveller to Buffalo has the choice of two routes. The first is by a 
continuous line of railroads, viz., the Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, sixteen 
miles in length ; the Utica and Schenectady Railroad, seventy-seven ; the 
Syracuse and Utica, fifty-four; the Auburn and Syracuse, twenty-six; the 
Auburn and Rochester, seventy-seven ; the Tonawanda, extending from 
Rochester to Attica, forty-two miles, and the Attica and Buffalo Railroad, to 
Buffalo, thirty-three miles; whole distance, three hundred and twenty-five 
miles. There are usually three through trains daily, one starting in the 
morning, and another in the evening, after the arrival of the eastern cars and 
the morning steamboats from New York. This is the shortest and decidedly 
the most expeditious and agreeable route. 



'ir^* 




<^s^ ^i^ 



010 090 846 3 






^^m, 






